A car accident is never convenient... Besides all the (administrative) worries, the question arises whether the car can still be repaired and what it will cost. This involves not only the material cost, but also the environmental impact caused by the vehicle repair. However, some repair techniques are more environmentally friendly than others. Expertisebureau Vonck and VITO have therefore developed the Eco Repair Score®. This is a calculation tool that gives a sustainability score from A to E for vehicle repairs.
To protect the environment, the climate and our prosperity, but also for geostrategic reasons and security of supply, we need to use the available raw materials more intelligently. The circular economy, an alternative to the throwaway culture, is a possible solution to this. Europe thinks so too. Driven by the EU Green Deal, the EU wants to strongly encourage repair and reuse. The Eco Repair Score® translates that objective into an accessible calculation tool. The tool provides insight into the environmental impact of various repair methods and is made available to consumers, repairers, lease companies, insurers, governments and policymakers. Unique in the world.
Added value for consumers
Consumers can use the free calculation tool on the Eco Repair Score website to identify the most environmentally friendly repair option for their damage case. That information then allows them to discuss the repair approach with their repairer and make a convincing case for a more environmentally friendly solution. The fact that this environmentally friendly option is often also the cheapest has a threshold-reducing effect.
Added value for repairers
With the Eco Repair Score®, repairers can demonstrate their craftsmanship and efficiency. Practice shows that the skilled repairer repairs more often instead of replacing parts (= more environmentally friendly), simply because he has the necessary technical skills to carry out difficult repairs according to the best practices. To this end, the repairer can make targeted investments in training and craftsmanship so that more (local) repairs can be carried out. This makes him or her less dependent on irregular delivery times of new parts, which have become increasingly common in recent years.
Added value for leasing companies and insurers
Using Eco Repair Score® in their estimation of a repair allows leasing companies and insurers to take into account not only cost, quality and service, but also the indirect environmental impact of their insurance activities. Thus, they can encourage repairers to evaluate and reduce their environmental impact. In addition to individual cases, Eco Repair Score® also allows them to visualise the environmental impact of repairs within their entire portfolio. That data is directly and automatically usable in their ESG reporting.
Added value for governments and policymakers
The Eco Repair Score® allows governments to achieve their societal goals with regard to repairing and stimulating a more circular economy by formulating (accompanying) policies that further reduce the environmental impact of vehicle repairs. Moreover, the score allows them to monitor the evolution of the market over a longer period of time, e.g. via an index.
How does the Eco Repair Score® work?
The Eco Repair Score® is determined by a life cycle analysis-based environmental impact assessment of the repair of vehicle damage caused by a collision.
The unique calculation model behind the Eco Repair Score® takes into account these key factors:
- chosen repair method chosen (replacement, repair)
- manufacturing of new parts, products and their packaging
- transport of parts and products to the repairer
- painting of parts
- recycling of parts, products and their packaging after repair
- energy consumption of the repair shop.
The Eco Repair Score® is fully automated and is constantly updated with new materials, models and impact data.
Cooperation between Expertisebureau Vonck and VITO
Eco Repair Score® is based on Expertisebureau Vonck's longstanding knowledge of car repairs and VITO's knowledge of sustainability assessments. The pilot project they set up together with insurers was successful and allowed the model behind the score to be further scaled up and automated.
The aim is to make Eco Repair Score® a European standard for analysing environmental impact of vehicle repairs. To this end, the necessary initiatives are currently being developed.
To raise awareness, Eco Repair Score is launching its first free online calculation tool. This consolidates the long-term cooperation between Eco Repair Score and VITO.
Get started
Calculate the Eco Repair Score of your vehicle repair yourself.
